Europeans are smart
Oct. 10th, 2008 08:51 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
wwcitizenEuropeans are smart. Europeans prepare their minds, read, understand political and historical facts, are interested in the world around them, are not (in general) narrow-minded in order to allow themselves the freedom to think outside their own box(es). These, of course, are my opinions, but Matt and I also experienced these things firsthand for two solid weeks. I knew that when I got to the airport on Sep. 23, we would be confronted with questions from our European counterparts about the presidential race, the US economy, growing unemployment, lack of American ambition, and on and on. I tried my best to prepare myself and I have to say that I played well with the encountered pundits. However, I feel at times that my knowledge and fervor were sorely lacking.
Some things I learned from them that I believe we are forgetting over here are:
1) Hold our politicians and business leaders responsible when things go horribly wrong.
2) Keep our elected officials accountable for the things they promised to get themselves elected.
3) Listen to what people are saying.
4) Question everything. (if you click on this video, watch till the VERY end!)
5) DO NOT become complacent and enjoy prosperity so much that we turn blind eyes to blatant infringements of our inalienable rights.
I must admit that I am ashamed that I haven't been as well-educated on or as incensed about what's been happening in this country and it makes me sad and sick that we are so close to greater disaster: I can smell it coming. I personally have been so much more focused on the pettiness of a meaningless job and boss, looking nice, and watching useless TV that at times I feel like an ignorant Republican.
And Europeans have been jealous of us in America (up to now) because of our freedoms. But what freedoms do we have when we sit idly by and let them get stolen from us?
Some things I learned from them that I believe we are forgetting over here are:
1) Hold our politicians and business leaders responsible when things go horribly wrong.
2) Keep our elected officials accountable for the things they promised to get themselves elected.
3) Listen to what people are saying.
4) Question everything. (if you click on this video, watch till the VERY end!)
5) DO NOT become complacent and enjoy prosperity so much that we turn blind eyes to blatant infringements of our inalienable rights.
I must admit that I am ashamed that I haven't been as well-educated on or as incensed about what's been happening in this country and it makes me sad and sick that we are so close to greater disaster: I can smell it coming. I personally have been so much more focused on the pettiness of a meaningless job and boss, looking nice, and watching useless TV that at times I feel like an ignorant Republican.
And Europeans have been jealous of us in America (up to now) because of our freedoms. But what freedoms do we have when we sit idly by and let them get stolen from us?
